Teresa Giudice and husband Giuseppe "Joe" Giudice have opened up about the idea of potentially spending time in prison due to their pending 39-count federal fraud indictment.

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"I can't fall apart," a teary-eyed Teresa, with Joe at her side, told Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen in an interview that will air on Bravo Sunday night, according to Us Weekly.

"I have my daughters. I mean, they mean the world to me. You go through things in life, I don't know why, I mean I'm asking, 'Why is this happening to me?' So maybe it's something my daughters could learn from."

In addition to the chance Joe may be deported back to Italy, Cohen mentioned the pair could face up to 50 years in jail based on the charges.

"I thought it was 100. I think, yeah. I'm not sure," a confused Joe replied.

Teresa also apparently suggested her mother might step up to the plate and take care of her daughters if she and her husband get put behind bars.

"My mom is really strong through all this. She was there for us and I hope they will always have that with them," Teresa reportedly said.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey stars pleaded not guilty to the charges last month. Federal authorities in Newark, NJ announced at the time the Giudices were being charged with "conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements on loan applications, and bankruptcy fraud," The Star Ledger reported.

The indictment also charges Joe with failure to file tax returns between 2004 and 2008, a period during which he allegedly made $1 million. Sources claim Teresa and Joe may receive whopping fines if convicted of all the charges besides the jail time. 

Teresa -- who also appeared on The Celebrity Apprentice's fifth season -- and Joe insist they're being targeted by the government because of their celebrity status.


About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.